Rally: Higgins aims to continue hot streak

Jul 27 2005 icWales

Mark Higgins will be on familiar territory as he battles for his fourth consecutive British Rally Championship victory when he contests the Manx International Rally.

Stobart Ford driver Higgins, who was born on the Isle of Man but now resides in Wales, took hold of the championship lead following his third successive win on the Jim Clark Rally earlier this month.

He now heads into round five - which gets underway on Thursday - with a six-point cushion between him and previous leader Austin MacHale.

The British championship drivers will however, face further competition across the Manx asphalt stages as they share the event once again with round six of the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Subaru driver Kenny McKinstry, series leader Eugene Donnelly, Jim Clark winner Tim McNulty, Eamonn Boland and Derek McGarrity will be amongst those challenging for the top spot on the island.

Meanwhile, Stobart Subaru driver Lorna Smith heads into the rally still with the advantage in the British production category.

Smith has consistently scored across all four rounds this season but has had her lead significantly reduced with just a point now separating her from second-placed Rory Galligan.

Mitsubishi works driver Galligan has notched maximum points in three rounds this season, including victory last time out, but the Irishman knows he will face a tough challenge to bag a further 20 points on the Isle of Man, most notably from his Manx-born team-mate David Higgins.

Galligan said: "We had an excellent run on the last event and I was very pleased with the set-up of the car, bearing in mind that was our first tarmac event in the works Mitsubishi.

"If it feels the same on the Manx roads then I know we'll be competitive, but needless to say, my main competition for production category honours is going to come from David."

Reigning British champion Higgins, who is the younger brother of Mark, has failed to finish two rounds of the series so far, but he remains optimistic of obtaining that elusive victory this time out.

"It's been a frustrating year so far. I've had two retirements and not yet won a round of the production class for a number of different reasons," Higgins said.

"However, stage times reflect that if we don't get any problems we should be on for a top result and it would be great to record our first victory of the year on the Isle of Man."